This site is dedicated to the memory of Christopher Arots.

Christopher John Arots Born May 30 1953, Died May 11, 2008 Christopher John Arots, age 54, a man who loved music and touched the lives of countless students, has died in Wilmington Delaware on May 11, 2008, after suffering a stroke. He leaves behind his father Joseph Arots, sisters Barbara Geltosky and Betsy Jones, daughter Samantha Arots, wife Joy Arots, niece Natalie Jones, and nephews Anthony Geltosky, Evan Geltosky, Colin Jones and Max Jones.. He joins his mother, Virginia Arots and grandparents Roger Brown, Anita Brown, Peter Arots and Anna Arots. From a young age, he studied music, first at the Wilmington Music School while he was attending St Mary Magdalen Elementary School, and later at Brandywine High School where he played in the Blue Blazers, Marching Band, Pit Band and acted in the musicals. Chris graduated from the University of Delaware with a degree in Music Education, and taught for 22 years at Salesianum High School where he was also band director, English teacher, and guidance counselor. He was dedicated to his students and spent most birthdays either marching in Memorial Day parades or conducting concerts. He took the Sallies band all over the world to competitions and performances at such places as Disneyland, Busch Gardens and Europe and conducted dozens of musicals at Sallies and with the Brandywiners at Longwood. He was a contract music teacher for private schools in the Tri State area, taught for the diocese of Camden and most recently was a music teacher for the Christiana School District. The focus of his life was his family, his “kids” and his music. He was always willing to go the extra mile to help a student in need and changed the course of so many lives over his long career as a music educator and teacher. Chris was an assistant director of the First State Symphonic Band, Director and conductor of Brandywine Pops and conductor of the John Walter Band, Cape May County New Jersey. He received both a MS in Counseling and an MS in Music from West Chester State University and was president of the music Educators association of Delaware, as well as serving on an accrediting committee for private schools. Chris was an avid antique car enthusiast, owning several, which he worked on himself (not always successfully), and liked nothing better than to travel to car shows with his friend during summer vacation when they weren’t painting the school. He could tell you the exact make and model of any car, loved Big Band Music and could sing any Glenn Miller tune. His cats provided companionship and entertainment over the years. He was incredibly devoted to his daughter Samantha, his wife Joy, and his family including his parents and sisters and their families. He stayed connected to all his nieces and nephews and encouraged them in their paths along the way as he did for so many others. He touched so many and will be missed. Visitation will be at St Josephs on the Brandywine, 10 Old Church Rd in Greenville Delaware at 9 AM Thursday May 15, followed by a funeral Mass at 10:30 AM, burial at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to: The Christopher Arots Musical Educator Scholarship West Chester University Foundation Attn Richard Przywara 628 S High St. West Chester PA 19383 Chris was an organ donor and three people have a start on a new life due to his generosity. Visit his memorial website : chrisarots.muchloved.com

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Thoughts

Its hard to believe it's been 14 years since we lost you on Mother's Day 2008. I think about you often and know you would have loved meeting your grandchildren and your grand niece and new grand nephew. I hold the memories of your life close and am touched that your students are still reaching out; your short life made such a difference .
Anthony
12th May 2022
11 years... how has it been 11 whole years, dad? It feels like just yesterday I was sitting in the audience watching Sallies performances of Hello Dolly or Fiddler on the Roof while you conducted the music, or I was just rolling around the hill behind you, while you conducted the marching band, and mom, the color guard. We were just living in NJ, stacking shelves for Entenmann’s in the summer between the school years, and having breakfast at Lucky diner, where you talked to the waiters and waitresses like you’ve known them forever, even if you just met. It was just yesterday we sang in choir together... and it feels like I was just walking aisle by aisle at car shows, where you told me everything you knew about cars from decades ago - I still wonder how you knew the exact years just by looking at them. So much has happened since the world lost you... I graduated high school, went to boot camp, became a Marine, traveled, met the love of my life (who also loves old cars, like you), we got married and we’ve had two beautiful boys, one was even named after you. I’ve also graduated college (soon to be for the second time), and while I know you wouldn’t miss any of it while sitting on your cloud, it has still been hard without you, dad. There have been times I have forgotten you’re gone, and I go to call your old Jersey phone number - how do I still remember it? There are times I know you’re with me, but some times I wish you were really here to help me and support me, like I know you would have. I wasn’t always the best kid, and I’d give anything to go back and be less selfish, more patient, less of a brat, and cherish the moments a little more. I just hope I can be half the parent you were to me. Never let my kids doubt how much they’re loved, always being there, teaching them, and leaving them with little life lessons in how you talk to and treat people. You were amazing, and I miss you every day... it’s been 11 years, and I still cry when I think about you. I love you, dad
samantha14carotsCole
11th May 2019
It will be ten years since my husband Chris's death on May 11. Because this site might end, I am sharing more memories of him. This will be a catharsis for me. Chris left us behind, yet I am not alone. For I still feel the warmth of his deep and abiding love. Chris lifted my spirits and showed me how to embrace life. He was truly my soulmate and the love of my life. I adored him. Chris had many virtues which I greatly admired: his passion for music, particularly jazz; conducting his band and orchestra, and teaching; his unflagging wit and humor; his unwavering commitment to family, friends and others who counted on him; his mettle dealing with hardship and pain; his genuine interest in people; his belief that people were wonderful, and they should not be judged; and above all his steadfast devotion to his daughter Samantha. Chris possessed the high intellect of a man and the insatiable curiosity and wonder of a boy. He really was an exceptional man. Chris was the love of my life and I adore him still.
Joy
7th May 2018

Candles

I cannot count the number of times that I still think of my days in Sallies’ Jazz Band and Pit Band and the fun times we had. I will always be grateful for your patient instruction and good humor that set me on my own musical journey that continues to this day.
Lit by Brian Becker on 13th May 2024
yesterday was yet another anniversary of your passing. 16 years have passed and I still can't believe it. subtle things remind me of you every day. I tell my son's about their grandfather and what an amazing father you were to me. I reminisce on playing board games with you. Specifically pretty pretty princess, with your dark brown hair pinned back with a plastic tiara. I remember watching Turner Classic Movies, and knowing all the words to play like Fiddler on the Roof, Bye Bye Birdie, and Guys and Dolls. I recall going to Lucky Diner, Steak & Ale (or really anywhere) and you having a great conversation with the food service staff. I couldn't go anywhere with you without you drumming up a conversation with someone - I guess I know who I got that from. I'm still obsessed with Coca Slurpees, and take my boys on trips to 711, just as you did with me - except we don't have Wawa in California. I make "Big Mommy" breakfasts that don't hold a flame to your "Big Daddy" breakfasts - mainly because the kids don't like scrapple (they don't know what they're missing). There's so many things I miss about you, and so many things I do with my kids just as you did with me. One thing I try to do is install confidence in my kids to talk to me about anything. I never want them to doubt that I support them, or that I love them. One thing I never doubted was how much you loved me and how proud of me you were, even when I felt looked down on or less than by others. You embraced my desire to be different, and march to the beat of my own drum, just as I try to do the same for my boys in this crazy world that tries to put them in a box. You were so inspiring to me as a parent, as my father, as a man to look up to in life. You have inspired so many in music and teaching. Oh how proud of you I am, dad. I love you
Lit by Samantha Arots-Cole on 12th May 2024
Hello Mr. A. I realized that I am now the age that you were when you left us. I hit a big milestone today and a big part of it was the belief that you helped me to find in myself. I do miss you!
Lit by Chris Y. on 9th July 2022
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